One of the leading diplomats of Western Europe, Ambassador Juergen Chrobog of Germany and wife Magda were our guests in January. Their program started with a lovely dinner party hosted by ELF member Bud Robinson at the Governor's Mansion. There they met Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice. They visited Lieutenant Governor Ronnie Musgrove and Speaker Tim Ford and conferred with the leaders of the Mississippi Department of Economic & Community Development. On January 15, the Ambassador was invited to brief the ELF members about the U.S.-German relationship. He graciously agreed to share his views with our group. He started with a few frank remarks about the problems of the German-European and American relationship. "One thing is certain," he said, "the partnership across the Atlantic cannot be taken for granted in the future." Nevertheless, Ambassador Chrobog underlined the fact that the Transatlantic Partnership, the German-American relationship is important for the stability of Europe. The Ambassador also spoke about the difficulties of the European Monetary Union, and the building of a reliable security architecture. As Germany's Ambassador in Washington, he appealed to the business community represented at the ELF as well as academia to strengthen their efforts in promoting the exchange of the two countries' academic elite. In closing, he recalled President Clinton's words, "America is on your side now and forever." He added, "Germany will remain a trusted friend and ally."